Gulf of St. Lawrence: two whales allegedly subjected to blunt trauma

Two North Atlantic right whales found dead in the Gulf of St. Lawrence seem to have suffered a blunt trauma, but it is still too early to rule out other causes that would account for the cause of death.

Marine mammal specialists on Monday unveiled preliminary results of necropsies done on the carcasses of three of the six right whales.

The Marine Animal Response Society reports that a third whale suffered from a “chronic entanglement” and that all carcasses were in an advanced stage of decomposition.

The experts will continue to analyze the results and present a final report within the next two months.

The group noted that more than 40 people participated in animal autopsies in the village of Norway, Prince Edward Island. He adds that the death of these six mammals represents about one percent of the approximately 525 right whales, an endangered species.

Jasmine holds a Master’s in Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto and writes professionally in a broad variety of genres. She has worked as a senior manager in public relations and communications for major telecommunication companies, and is the former Deputy Director for Media Relations with the Modern Coalition. Jasmine writes primarily in our LGBTTQQIAAP and Science section.